Health and wellbeing providers looking for flexible ways to deliver services can now use NHS pay-as-you-go spaces across England - and locally at Rectory Lane Health Centre in Loughton - through NHS Property Services’ ‘NHS Open Space’ initiative.
NHS Open Space, has welcomed 40 new sites to its national booking platform bringing the total number of sites to 190, with 1,100-plus rooms all available to book on a flexible, pay-as-you-go basis.
The expansion will bring more choice to health and wellbeing providers, offering clinical and non-clinical spaces for hire on an hourly or daily basis, with greater flexibility at an affordable price.
Health and wellbeing providers as well as businesses and community groups can use NHS Open Space to easily find and book clinical and non-clinical rooms within their local communities, while being reassured of the safety of themselves and their customers or patients.
The intuitive booking platform means users only pay for the time and space they need. It also makes better use of the NHS estate, driving money back into the health service at this critical time.
Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing said: “I welcome this new initiative, and very much look forward to the benefits it will bring not only to Health and Wellbeing professionals but community groups and businesses which form the backbone of my constituency.
“Previously underused space in NHS Property Services’ portfolio will be put to good use, and I am delighted to hear that the proceeds of the scheme will be reinvested into the NHS.”
Christopher King, Principal Strategic Asset Manager at NHS Property Services, said: "I am delighted to be able to announce yet another expansion of NHS Open Space this year.
"We have seen more than 1 million hours of care provided to patients across England with this scheme, showing just how vital a range of services are to local communities.
"From counselling and physiotherapy to vaccine administration, we hope to enable excellent patient care and deliver on the NHS Long-Term Plan through our spaces.
“For many, cleanliness and infection control will be front of mind as they will want the confidence to inform their customers or patients they are in a safe space.
"Safety has been, and still is, our number one priority. Using an NHS space will help take another weight off services providers’ minds, as providers and patients alike can count on us to ensure that all available sites are cleaned and maintained to the highest of safety standards.”
